SECTOR 4 4.4 Journalists and other media practitioners are organised in trade unions and/or professional associations, which effectively represent their interests. Several professional associations exist in Gabon although they are not all effective. The Union of Francophone Press (UPF) remains the most active in the defence and promotion of the cause of journalists and the media. Each year, it organizes training sessions for journalists from both inside the country and from abroad. The UPF participates in the national discussions for the improvement of the media environment. Apart from it, the Professional Association of African Women in Communication (APFAC) and the Association of Online Journalists are also active. With regard to trade unions, the Journalists’ Union of Gabon Television is the most recognized. In collaboration with trade unions in other sectors, it regularly organizes strikes demanding the improvement of wages. Apart from Gabon Television, the second trade union of the sector is that of the journalists from Africa Number 1. There is no federation of trade unions. The two existing unions do not co-operate. To summarise, there is a lack of solidarity among professionals in the communication sector. The majority does not belong to professional associations and trade unions. Mobilisation is often low when a journalist is arrested, harassed or dragged before the courts. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 3.5 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER GABON 2016 103